The campaign trail led two candidates vying for seats in Congress through Evans on Wednesday.

U.S. Rep Jack Kingston, of Savannah, and Donna Sheldon, who is seeking a House seat, stopped by Panera Bread Co. to talk with supporters.

Kingston is one of eight Republicans on the ballot in the May 20 primary election to fill the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Saxby Chambliss, who is retiring at the end of the year. Other candidates include U.S. Reps. Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey and former Secretary of State Karen Handel.

“It’s a very competitive race, and I welcome the competition,” Kingston said, further explaining why he’s opted to leave the House after 20 years.

“I’m very concerned with the demise of the American dream. I’m concerned that a runaway government that is intrusive, that’s spending too much money, it’s sapping away the freedoms and the liberties that we have and they are not going to be there for the next generation. That’s why I’m running for the Senate. We’ve got to turn America around.”

Kingston said he has the experience to represent the area well.

He said a plan to bring that American dream to the people includes a strong national defense, balanced budget, less regulations that eliminate jobs, workfare over welfare, energy independence and a clear and concise tax code.

Megan Seda, with the Columbia County Republican Party, said she was glad to see Kingston and Sheldon come to Columbia County.

“I was glad to hear Kingston was going to be stopping through,” Seda said. “Sometimes we don’t get all the opportunities Atlanta people do.